CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) yesterday grounded all five of its remaining operational S-211 training jets following the crash that killed two officers in Bagac, Bataan on Thursday.

The ill-fated aircraft was one of the six S-211 trainer jets that the were operational from the total of 25 such aircraft the PAF purchased since the 1990s.

Of the total number, 15 were locally assembled by the Philippine Aerospace Development Corp. (Aerospace) based here.

PAF records showed that other accidents involving S-211 jets have occurred in recent years.

In July last year, another such aircraft belonging to the Air Defense Wing’s 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron based here also crashed in Concepcion, Tarlac, but its pilot and co-pilot were able to eject safely.

In 2002, another S-211 jet of the PAF crashed due to mechanical failure, killing five people, including the pilot and his co-pilot, in Barangay Garcia in Cabanatuan City where 15 houses were also destroyed. The aircraft was reported to be on proficiency flight.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said the PAF has already extended condolences to the families of Capt. Raymond de Leon and Maj. Ephraim Suyom who died in the crash last Thursday.

Their trainer jet crashed off the shores of Stella Maris resort in Barangay Banawang in Bagac, Bataan.

The body of Suyom was retrieved by local police and village folk soon after the crash, while the remains of De Leon were retrieved by Coast Guard divers later in the evening.

Bataan provincial police director Senior Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) would help in the identification of the two bodies.

He said the bodies of the two victims were shattered due to the impact of the explosion.

The plane took off from here at about 2:15 p.m. and subsequently lost contact with air traffic controllers. The pilots were based at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.

Okol described De Leon as “a combat ready pilot,” adding that Suyom was an instructor pilot for S-211 aircraft.

“PAF chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena has ensured that a thorough investigation of the crash will take place,” Okol said.

He also said Rabena has vowed “to look after the families left behind by the fighter pilots.”

Okol said the remaining five other still functioning S-211 trainer jets of the Air Force would remain grounded until the cause of last Thursday’s accident is known.

A full diagnostic review of the MRH-90 Multi Role Helicopter Program has now been completed.

The review was ordered in February by the Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare to address delays to the project.

It was chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation Mr Warren King supported by a number of independent specialists.

The review has recommended that the project should not be added to the Project of Concern list at this time.

It has recommended that Defence work with the contractor, Australian Aerospace, to implement a remediation plan to improve the availability of the helicopters by addressing engineering and reliability issues.

The project will be the subject of a further diagnostic review later this year to examine the effectiveness of the action taken and whether further action is necessary.

The diagnostic review was ordered to address delays to the project due to a series of key issues including engine failure, transmission oil cooler fan failures and the poor availability of spares.

As reported in both the Defence Annual Report and the ANAO Major Project Report released last year, the project has suffered delays of 12 months for the Navy’s helicopters and 18 months for the Army’s helicopters.

To date, 13 MRH-90 helicopters have been accepted by Defence and are currently being used for testing and initial crew training.

Air Force Chief of Staff of South Korea Bakjongheon, on April 26, visited the Headquarters of the Philippine Air Force and met with Philippine Air Force Commander Oscar H. Rabena to discuss bilateral military cooperation between the Air Forces.Philippine Air Force General is reviewing the replacement of OV-10 reconnaissance aircraft to replaced with domestic KT (A) -1 was highly recommended.

Bakjongheong explained that Indonesia and Turkey as model has been demonstrated that the aircraft is already performing of versatile performance, as well as less expensive maintenance as required by the Philippine Air Force : has both the battlefield ability and observation.

Also, in the defense exhibition in Seoul ADEX 2011 will be held in October this year the Air Force invited the Philippine officials offered to attend.

Also, discussed the exchange of personnel and senior cadets two Air Force and increasing military cooperation between the two countries.

Among purchase planned in the 10th malaysia plan includes six ASW helicopter (photo : Militaryphotos)

Royal Malaysia Navy Continues to Shine

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- With its military spirit, loyalty to the country and undying courage, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), which celebrates its 77th anniversary tomorrow, continues to strengthen its force in ensuring the sovereignty and maximum security of the country's waters.

As a branch of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the RMN remains a division that is credible and ready to face challenges for the people and country.

For example, their success in saving RMN auxiliary vessel Bunga Mas 5 in Aden Bay, Somalia, opened the eyes of the world and also became a landmark in the nation's defence history.

Also, June 20 was a proud moment when the Ops Fajar 8 team recovered commercial vessel MT Bunga Laurel, which had been hijacked by pirates, as seven armed pirates were arrested by the Special Protection Team after exchanging fire from air and sea.

RMN chief, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, said the naval success upheld the MAF, especially the RMN, to a higher level in the international maritime arena, showing that it is on par with other countries.

He added that the navy also demonstrated their capability to continuously operate in foreign waters with success.

"Ops Fajar is entering its ninth year, and throughout the operation not one commercial vessel owned by the MISC or country was hijacked by armed pirates."

The presence of Ops Fajar also crippled two attempted pirate ships attempting attacks on Chinese commercial vessels, MV Zhenhua 4 on Dec 17, 2008 and Indian commercial vessel MT Abdul Kalam Azad on Jan 1, 2009," he told Bernama in a special interview at his office, here recently.

Abdul Aziz said more of such successes would follow with a proposal for an additional escort vessel by next September, should it be approved by MISC Berhad.

Currently, he said, with only one vessel operating, the task of escorting Malaysian commercial vessels through Aden Bay becomes complicated and time-consuming when there are too many ships to escort.

"Two successful meetings with MISC Berhad discussed the concept, design and characteristics of the second vessel...and come May 5 the development and latest status on the proposal will be discussed in more detail.

"If this happens, the second ship will operate independently, whereby one vessel will escort from the West to East and another from East to West...it will launch operations and movement of Malaysian commercial vessels, as well as enable high returns for MISC," he said.

He added that auxiliary vessel Bunga Mas 5 made history when it became the first auxiliary vessel in the world to be used to fight pirates in Aden Bay.

Ops Fajar was launched following the hijacking of two MISC vessels, Bunga Melati 2 and Bunga Melati 5, in Aden Bay in July 2008 before the Bunga Mas 5, a former MISC Berhad commercial vessel that was renovated into an RMN auxiliary vessel.

It was deployed to escort and protect the country's commercial vessels from threats of pirates in Aden Bay and nearby waters.

The Special Sea Unit (PASKAL), also known as KD Panglima Hitam, was the backbone of Ops Fajar's success with the assistance of the Army Special Operations Group (GGK), Special Air Service (PASKAU) and MISC Berhad crew, who were absorbed into the RMN Volunteer Reserve Team (PSSTLDM).

Abdul Aziz said the RMN would also update its defence system through plans of purchasing the latest defence assets and equipment, as well as replacing old assets in line with their goal to become a more ready and efficient organisation.

He said among the purchases planned in the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP)includes six Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters, a multi-purpose support ship(MSS) and disaster support ship to boost the country's maritime defence.

For patrol and training purposes, the RMN has also agreed to buy two ships from a local ship building company, NGV Tech Sdn Bhd, and they will be built at the NGV Tech ship dock in Kampung Sinjangkang, Teluk Panglima Garang, with a completion target of two years.

"These normal patrol ships are sophisticated and will be equipped with various weapons to be used as training objects, which RMN personnel will be taught to use.

Regarding the anniversary celebrations, tomorrow which has been themed "Warga Didahulukan, Kesiapsiagaan Diutamakan" (People First, Readiness Now), he said it will be a lively but moderate affair in Lumut to be attended by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, as RMN Colonel-in-chief.

The navy is seen as more mature in their efforts to strengthen its structure and armada to ensure safety, but despite this heavy responsibility it cannot be denied that the RMN has a praise worthy 77-year track record.Therefore, it is appropriate that the RMN be congratulated for bravely and confidently stepping forward as an able force to dominate military operations and become a versatile armed force in this century.

The upgraded Advanced Air Defence Simulator (photo : Australian Aviation)

BAE Systems has announced the completion of System Acceptance Testing (SAT) for the Army’s Advanced Air Defence Simulator (AADS) Refresh project, fulfilling a $5 million contract issued by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) in 2009.

The project saw BAE replace obsolete simulator dome projectors, computers and software with the latest equipment and programs to produce higher fidelity visuals and extend the facility’s life. Scheduled for completion at the end of March, BAE responded to a compressed schedule issued by the DMO and re-opened the facility on January 31.

The newly upgraded AADS training facility is used by the Army’s 16th Air Defence Regiment to provide training in the use of ground-to-air missile systems. BAE Systems is responsible for maintaining and operating the AADS facility, having been originally built and delivered by the company in July 2005.

“The refresh of the facility is excellent, the new display system is extremely impressive and means our ability to provide a simulated controlled tactical environment for the training of Ground Based Air Defenders is even more effective,” CO 16th Air Defence Regiment, LTCOL John McLean said.

BAE Systems is also contracted to operate the facility through to July 2013 (awarded under Land 19 Phase 2B), providing the Army with 270 training days each year.

A Philippine Air Force trainer plane crashed in the shoreline of Bataan, killing one person, a military official said.

Armed Forces' Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan said the S-211 plane crashed at Banawang village near the Stela Mariz Beach resort, moments after it took off from an undisclosed area around 2:32 a.m.

The ill-fated aircraft was being piloted by Maj. Ephraim Gatus Suyom and one identified only by his surname, De Leon.

Suyom was valedictorian of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1997.

He said elements of the Army's 24th Infantry Battalion are now on site, security the crash site.

Col. Gregorio Catapang, commander of the Army’s 703rd Brigade, said the plane was totally wrecked. "They (Army troops) are securing the area. They are retrieving the dead…The retrieval operations are ongoing," he said.

He said one body was already recovered at the site but they are not in the position to identify him.

The Air Force has yet to issue a statement on the circumstances of the incident and its possible cause.

In July last year, an S-211 plane crashed while engaged in a training exercise in Conceptcion town in Tarlace. The two pilots were unharmed as they were able to eject from the totally-wrecked plane before hitting the ground.

27 April 2011

Vigilare, the RAAF's ground-based air defense system (photo : Australian Aviation)

Network centric command and control system participates in RAAF combat exerciseRAAF BASE WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Vigilare network centric command and control system has passed its last formal operational test. Testing took place at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown's Eastern Region Operations Centre (EROC) from March 28 to April 8.

The testing established that EROC is ready for operations as it demonstrated Vigilare's full range of functionality in preparation for conditional acceptance this month, the last milestone before final system acceptance by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Vigilare's second week of operational testing was incorporated into Exercise Aces South, a key combat exercise for pilots and air defense operators studying to become advanced fighter tactics instructors and controllers.

"Exercise Aces South provided an excellent opportunity to put the newly installed Vigilare system at EROC through its paces. We threw our best and brightest people into the exercise, and they worked the new system extremely hard through some complex and intense air battle scenarios," said Wing Commander Richard Pizzuto, Officer Temporary Commanding RAAF No. 41 Wing. "I've been impressed with how the Vigilare system performed and with the increased functionality it delivers. It's an exciting new capability for Air Force, and one which sets us up well for the future."

Vigilare combines information in near real-time from a wide range of platforms, sensors, tactical data links and intelligence networks to deliver tactical and strategic surveillance operations and battlespace management in the air and joint domains. The live inputs from these sources present a unified operational picture to the user at single or multiple operational centers.

"Vigilare demonstrated a new level of network centric capability for the RAAF by networking a broad range of RAAF assets into the battlespace through EROC," said Lee Davis, Vigilare project manager, Boeing Defence Australia. "RAAF operators' situational awareness was enhanced by their ability to connect to Vigilare's advanced surveillance and tactical management capabilities."

Platforms participating in the exercise included F/A-18 Classic Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, Hawks, a 707 Tanker and a P-3 Orion.

Vigilare consists of two regional operations centers: EROC and the Northern Regional Operations Centre, which has been operational since September 2010 and is located at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

26 April 2011

Unofficially dubbed the J-15, the new People's Liberation Army navy's "flying shark" features enlarged folding wings, twin nose wheels and an arresting hook for use on China's first aircraft carrier. (photo : Zhang Xinliang)

Photos of a domestic-made shipborne J-15 heavy fighter were released on Sunday afternoon on Internet defense forums, prompting many military observers to coo about China's aircraft carrier capacity.

"Heavy shipborne fighters will boost the aircraft carrier fleet's air defense capability and enhance the fleet's strike ability," said Lan Yun, editor of the Modern Ships, a Beijing-based magazine following the latest developments in warships and defense equipment.

"They can carry many air-to-air missiles or air-to-surface missiles and other kinds of airborne munitions," Lan told the Global Times. "And they have the benefit of long combat radius."

J-15 shipborne heavy fighter (photo : Defense Update)

The fighters are to be stationed onboard the Chinese Varyag aircraft carrier, which is under renovation in Dalian, according to defense media. The giant ship has had radars and electronic warfare equipment installed, the Canada-based Kanwa Daily News reported.

on Sunday's photos of the fighter were taken outside the airfield of the No. 112 Factory of Shenyang Aircraft Industry Corporation, a company of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and were uploaded onto the cjdby.net and fyjs.cn military forums after 1:30 pm on Sunday.

Videos and smaller photos showing the fighter flying over Shenyang had been circulating on the Internet since June. This time the fighter was seen with a standard naval paint scheme, according to photos released on Sunday.

The fighter has distinctive features that enable it to operate on an aircraft carrier, such as folding wings and strengthened landing gear, according to the Chinese Military Aviation (CMA).

Missile launch rails and wide-angle holographic Head Up Display (HUD) clearly indicated that the fighter is equipped with domestic sensors, avionics and weapon systems, the website reported, just like later models of the Shenyang J-11 fighter. The fighter dubbed J-15 is based on a Russian Su-33 in terms of structural configuration, it also said.

The Russian Ria Novosti news quoted a Russian military analyst saying that China's J-15 is inferior to the Russian aircraft. Lan Yun refuted the claim.

"The sensors, avionics and missiles of the Su-33 are already obsolete," Lan said, adding that the Chinese airborne electronics could offer more advanced technologies.

The first prototype J-15 was believed to have made its maiden flight on August 31, 2009, a month before the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, according to the Russian Ria Novosti news.

Lin Zuoming, AVIC general manager, published a poem in the China Aviation News newspaper one day later, celebrating the "breakthrough of scientific research."

On Sunday's photos came at about the same time as foreign media quoted a Chinese blogger claiming a Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) shipborne fighter for the Varyag is conducting flight tests in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the US-based Defense News. The foreign reports were dismissed by an AVIC spokesman as pure speculation on April 18.

THE FORMER SOVIET aircraft carrier Varyag berths at Dalian, northeast China, in May 2002. Taiwan's spy chief said April 25 that China could bring the carrier into service before the end of 2011. (File photo / Agence France-Presse)

TAIPEI - Taiwan's spy chief on April 25 said China could bring its first aircraft carrier into service before the end of the year, kindling fears in Taipei over Beijing's continued naval buildup.

Tsai Teh-sheng, head of the island's National Security Bureau, said Varyag - a half-completed Soviet-era aircraft carrier Beijing obtained from Ukraine in 1998 - is expected to make its maiden voyage before the end of 2011.The warship has been docked in China's Dalian harbor, where it has undergone extensive refurbishing work since 2002."Varyag has restored its sailing capability, and is expected to start providing training missions before the end of 2011," Tsai said in response to a parliamentary question by Lin Yu-fang of the ruling Kuomintang party.

Tsai said the warship will have "certain combat capability" and will serve as a base for an unknown number of China's home-grown fighter jets, which are modeled on Russian-made Su-33s.

Taiwan's defense ministry has expressed alarm at China's naval buildup although experts say it may still take time for the People's Liberation Army to operate its first carrier group complete with fighter jets.

"The Chinese communists' acquisition of their first aircraft carrier will threaten not only Taiwan but the stability of Asia," said David Lo, spokesman for Taiwan's defense ministry.

Taiwan plans to build a new "stealth" warship armed with guided missiles next year in response to China's naval build-up, military officers have said.An aircraft carrier group would potentially double the military threat posed to Taiwan by China by allowing the Chinese to approach from directions other than across the strait, experts warn.Ties between China and Taiwan have improved significantly since Ma Ying-jeou became the island's president, vowing to adopt a nonconfrontational policy toward the mainland. But China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting to be reunified by force if necessary, although the island has governed itself since 1949, when a civil war ended.

St. Petersburg shipbuilding company Almaz was launched on the third patrol boat project 10412, under construction for the Viet Nam Navy, according to a company press release. Currently, the ship moored at the quay wall of the plant, which will be its completion. When the new patrol will be delivered to the customer, not specified.

Vietnam Navy must obtain a total of four patrol boats of the project 10412 (export version of the project 10410 "Svetlyak"). Two of the ship has already admitted to the Vietnamese Navy. Construction ofthe latter two being under a contract signed in July 2009. Previously reported that the deal is estimated at $ 60 million.

Council members were satisfied with the reasons given by the navy for the purchase - to protect the country's interests in the sea, to increase the Asean submarine force potential and to help keep military power in the region in balance.

If the acquisition plan is also approved by the cabinet, the submarines are expected to be put in commission in mid-2013.

Col Thanathip said a detailed plan will be presented to the Defence Council for next month. A special conference may also be held for the press.

The Defence Ministry will push for cabinet approval of the plan as soon as possible, he added.

25 April 2011

BESUT, (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force now has at its Gong Kedak base the only simulation centre in Asia for training pilots of Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the centre had two sets of a system capable of carrying out training missions on line just like in real life.

He said the RM258 million system built by local company HeiTech Padu Berhad at a cost of RM258 million had been in use since early November last year.

"The system can train pilots and weapons sensor officers and the technical crew by using aircraft flight simulation models especially for Sukhoi aircraft," he told reporters after launching the centre Monday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Italy's Oto Melara, one of the world's top 10 defence companies, strengthened its presence in Malaysia and the region by partnering privately-held Genting Etika Sdn Bhd.

The alliance is a platform for Oto to jointly bid for future armed forces projects especially from the yet-to-be announced second generation patrol vessel programme.

Genting Etika managing director Captain Azhar Abdul Rahman Sdn Bhd said the firm will invest RM5 million to set up a workshop facility in Lumut, Perak. This is to put the partnership in a better position to vie for business deals especially from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) as well as naval forces in the region.

Oto Melara senior vice president marketing and sales Ulderigo Rossi said with the partnership, Oto Melara will be in a "superior" position to meet current and future requirements from the RMN.

"We have secured the funding from bank loans and the workshop is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2012," Azhar told reporters after inking the agreement here yesterday.

Oto Melara has been supplying guns to the Malaysian navy since the 1970s. This includes field artillery guns on four Laksmana class corvettes and recently the 12 guns on the current offshore patrol vessel fleet.

Established in 2001, Genting Etika is Oto Melara's licensed and authorised agent in Malaysia since 2008. The firm is owned by a former admiral from the RMN.

Genting Etika provides technical services, maintenance and supply of defence related equipment to the Defence Ministry through government tenders.

In its business presentation, Oto Melara said the partnership may have a businss potential of up to ?25 million (RM110 million) by 2020 to maintain, integrate, produce and sell products to armed forces in the region.

Rossi said Oto Melara will transfer technology required to Genting Etika. This will also include the possibility of setting up a joint venture that may lead to sharing of risks, intellectual property rights and profits.

23 April 2011

Navy chief Kamthorn Phumhiran is insisting on pushing ahead with the plan to procure six second-hand submarines from Germany, dismissing the other option of buying brand-new South Korean ones as being too expensive.

Adm Kamthorn yesterday said he would go ahead with the navy's original plan. It would be presented to the Defence Council chaired by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon next week.

Gen Prawit had earlier voiced his support for the idea of acquiring two brand-new submarines from South Korea. He believed they would last longer than the decommissioned German ones.

The six Type U-206A coastal patrol submarines have been in use in Germany for more than 30 years and Adm Kamthorn admitted they had only another six or seven years of useful life left.

Though the South Korean Type U209 submarine is made using German technology, Adm Kamthorn said it is too big, with a displacement of 1,200 tonnes. "They also cost up to 13 billion baht each," he said.

Although the navy included the option of buying South Korean submarines in its feasibility study, it does not have enough money to buy the two new ones.

"It is most practical to buy the second-hand ones at a cost of 7.7 billion baht," said Adm Kamthorn, who also played down concerns over the usefulness of the submarines in Thai waters. "The navy has to take care of Thailand's marine interests valued at 900 billion baht a year. An investment of 7.7 billion baht will be worth it," he said.

If Thailand fails to secure the six submarines, the opportunity may go to Chile or Colombia, which are also interested in striking a deal with Germany, said navy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations Thawiwut Phongphiphat.

A navy source said other countries in Southeast Asia have already strengthened their navies with submarines. Malaysia deploys two French-made ones, Singapore has four and Vietnam has three, with a plan to buy six more from Russia. Even Burma has already had its soldiers trained in submarine operations.

If the Defence Council and later the cabinet approve the navy's purchase plan, the first batch of 30 navy officers will be sent for a year of training in Germany before Thailand receives the submarines, said Vice Adm Thawiwut.

"The navy doesn't want to have these submarines, we need them," Adm Kamthorn said. "They are weapons for protection. They may be small, but a small cobra can bite a bigger person to death."

Two subs would be deployed in the Gulf of Thailand and two in the Andaman Sea, with the others as replacements.

Today’s arrival in New Zealand of the first upgraded Royal New Zealand Air Force P3K2 Orion aircraft represents a quantum leap forward for the Air Force, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says. The aircraft landed at the Whenuapai air force base in Auckland from the United States late this afternoon.

Dr Mapp said that the Government has made the delivery of the Orion upgrade a top priority since taking office.

“The poor management of the previous Government led to substantial delays. The project has taken far longer than we wanted.

“This project means a great deal to the RNZAF and the Ministry of Defence. Today is a significant milestone for them,” he said.

The $373 million upgrade includes improved surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation and communication systems. The upgrade project will also deliver crew trainers, and software testing and integration tools.

“This puts the Air Force at the forefront of technology. The Orion will now have vastly more capability across its whole range of missions, from military operations through to search and rescue, supporting our Pacific relationships and effective monitoring of our Exclusive Economic Zone," the Minister said.

“This also enables a significant and fundamental expansion in the Orion’s role. Along with its traditional maritime focus, it will now have tremendous capability for overland operations.

"The systems upgrade complements the earlier airframe upgrades. Together, they will see the Orion through to 2025.”

This aircraft was upgraded by L3 Systems and sub-contractors based in Greenville, Texas. The second and subsequent aircraft will be completed by Safe Air in Blenheim, and the first of those will be delivered in about three months.(Beehive)

22 April 2011

The navy still wants to buy six used Type U206A submarines from Germany, because they are most suitable for its needs, navy chief Admiral Kamthorn Poomhiran said on Friday.

Adm Kamthorn said the Type U206A submarine is most suitable for the Thai navy because it is small and agile, with a displacement of only 450 tonnes.

Moreover, the six submarines would cost the navy only 7.7 billion baht.

"I can guarantee that they can be in commission for more than 10 years," he said.

Adm Kamthorn said this type of submarine is far better than the Type U209 submarines which the navy earlier hoped to buy from South Korea.

Korea bought the submarines, which are much bigger at more than 1,000 tonnes displacement each, from Germany and had them refurbished.

Two Type U209 submarines would cost the navy 13 billion baht, which is far more expensive than the Type U206A from Germany, he said.

"The 7.7 billion baht to buy six Type U206A submarines from Germany is worthwhile, to protect the country's yearly marine interests of more than 900 billion baht," Adm Kamthorn said.

The navy chief said a proposal to buy six submarines from Germany would be forwarded to the Defence Council meeting chaired by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon next week for approval.

If approved, the proposal would be tabled for cabinet consideration.

He said the navy plans to buy the submarines with its own four-year tied-over budget.

Vice Admiral Taweewut Pongpipat, assistant navy chief-of-staff for tactical operations, said the navy plans to use two submarines in the Gulf of Thailand and two in the Andaman Sea, while two others would be used for rotation.

He said the navy has already selected the first batch of 30 naval personnel for training in Germany for one year before the submarines were handed over.

The submarines the Thai navy plans to buy are still in operation, and not decommissioned yet.

Malaysia now has two submarines in commission and Singapore has four, a navy official said.

Vietnam already has four submarines and is reported to be negotiating to buy six more at a cost of US$4 billion from Russia, while Burma has already trained its sailors for submarine operations, the official said.

Agosta submarine ex French submarine Ouessant (S623) decomissioned in 2001 and then used to train for RMN personnel (photo : Michel Floch)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Agosta submarine which was used to train Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) personnel in submarine operations in France will be brought home in August to be converted into a museum, RMN chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

He said the submarine could not be used for operations but would be converted into a museum piece to symbolise the progress made by RMN.

"It is a second-hand submarine we bought for training RMN personnel. Now that its services are no longer needed, it will be brought to the Lumut naval base in August," he told reporters here today.

The Agosta submarine was used as a training submarine for two Scorpene class submarines Malaysia bought from France namely the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak, which were commissioned in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

On the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak, Abdul Aziz said both the submarines were doing fine and operating at their optimum capacity.

"Having submarines in the open sea is great surveillance for our country," he said.

The State Company for Export and Import of Military and Special-Purpose Products and Services, Ukrspetseksport, on April 19 shipped 12 of BTR-3E1 to Thailand, reads a statement made by Ukrspetseksport.The armored troop carriers successfully passed acceptance of the Thai side's technical supervision, they fired shoots from all types of weapons, and also fired missiles.

The machines shipped to the customer by the Kyiv Repair and Engineering Works state enterprise.

Ukrspetseksport notes, this is another batch of BTRs that are supplied to Thailand under the contract concluded in 2007.